Daddona: Seniors' Bills Won't Jump 61%

February 28, 1986|The Morning Call

Allentown Mayor Joseph S. Daddona assured senior citizens yesterday their water/sewer bills should not approach the 61 percent increase faced by the average householder under a proposed new rate structure.

He said he received a number of calls from senior citizens concerned about the effect of the increased rates.

The mayor pointed out that water consumption will determine how much customers will pay.

"It's possible the water and sewer bill for many senior citizens - those who use 50 gallons of water a day - will go up only 11.5 percent."

The quarterly bill for those using 50 gallons a day would increase by $2, to $19.30.

For those using 150 gallons a day, the bill would rise by $11.69, to $35.57 a quarter. That's a 49 percent increase.

Daddona also noted that senior citizens whose household income is less than $8,000 a year are entitled to rebates on their water/sewer bills.

He has asked Howard D. Kunik, budget administrator, to determine the amount of revenue that would be lost and the effects on the water fund if the income limit were raised to $10,000, $12,000 or $15,000.

As of now, eligible senior citizens with an income less than $6,000 can get a full rebate; those with incomes of $6,000-$6,499, a 40 percent rebate; $6,500-$6,999, a 30 percent rebate; $7,000-$7,499, a 20 percent rebate; and $7,500-$7,999, a 10 percent rebate.

The mayor noted that 1 percent increases will be applied to the water and sewer rates in both 1987 and 1988.

"This should be the last time Allentown residents will have to experience such a large jump in the water and sewer rates," he said.

"There was no increase in the water rates since 1975 and only a small increase in the sewer rates in 1980. Most people prefer a small percentage increase each of the next two years rather than be hit all in one year. It's easier for people to budget that way."